Exclusive: Kimberly Coon talks about her 'The Bachelor' experience

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/24/2011

The Bachelor bachelorette Kimberly Coon's televised search for love came to an end when Brad Womack opted not to give her a rose during Monday night's broadcast of the fifteenth season's third Rose Ceremony.

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On Friday, the 27-year-old marketing coordinator from Charlotte, NC exclusively talked to Reality TV World about her The Bachelor experience -- including why she doesn't feel she had a connection with Womack, whether his The Bachelor return was really a surprise to her, whether she truly meant her feisty final words, what she thought of her fellow bachelorettes, and her thoughts about the season's early dramatic moments.

Reality TV World: [After you were eliminated] you said you had no regrets. Is that still the case -- looking back, do you feel the same way now?

Kimberly Coon: No, I definitely have no regrets. I had a great time and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to be a part of the show. It was a good experience for me. I made some really good friends. So, still no regrets!

Reality TV World: You said there simply wasn't a connection with [Brad Womack] in your final words. Was that definitely the case and why did you think that? Are there certain qualities or traits in Brad that you happened to be unattracted to?

Kimberly Coon: Actually, based on my interactions, Brad seemed like a great guy and a real gentleman and we didn't have a connection, but I don't know if it was based on the fact that there really wasn't one or that we just didn't have enough time to find one. But, I do think he's going to make a wonderful husband when he finds the right girl and I wish him the best of luck.

Reality TV World: You also said "F" Brad and it was his loss for not giving you a rose. Did you just say that because you were mad he let you go or was there more to it than that?

Kimberly Coon: I've watched previous seasons of the show and I'm always so sad when I see girls crying and down on themselves, especially only after being there for a few weeks, so I was determined to be the strong, confident woman.

And I realize I may have come off a little bit sassy, but that edginess was just honestly a defense to keep myself from getting upset. Because it was a difficult situation, and it's sometimes emotionally challenging, so like I said, I was just determined to be strong and confident like I came in.

Reality TV World: In you abc.com bio you said you don't really consider yourself to be a romantic because romance has the potential to blind people to their real feelings about someone. So given that, wouldn't you have the same concerns about going on a reality show about falling in love while going on a bunch of fantasy dates?

Kimberly Coon: You know that's a concern, but I wanted to keep the attitude of, "If I like the person, I'm going to like the person. I'm not going to like the situation and debate whether or not I like somebody." So, I think actually that it was the first outlook going into the show knowing that I wasn't going to let the "Cinderella" dates and all that stuff kind of affect how I felt for the person.

Reality TV World: You also said in your final words that Brad was intimidated by you because you're a talented, smart and successful woman. Can you elaborate on that? Is there anything specific you told Brad about yourself that you thought might have scared him off a little bit?

Kimberly Coon: Like I said, I was just determined to be strong and confident and I am educated and have done well for myself. Sometimes my career and I think perhaps, that he was intimidated, but I got to ask him. (laughs)

Reality TV World: Overall, you said you were just a little sassy and wanted to be confident in yourself and that's how you came across in your final words, but did maybe having a little bit too much to drink play any role in it?

Kimberly Coon: No, actually I'm not a big drinker, so I was very careful not to let myself be persuaded to drink and then go into my exit interview. So, it was just me trying to be confident and trying to leave as I came in with a strong -- positive about who I was and what I wanted -- I hate to see all those girls cry. I mean, it's so sad because they always get down on themselves.

So, it was more just me thinking about myself than it was a reflection on Brad and how I felt about him. And honestly, it was something I would say to a good friend if they broke up with their boyfriend -- remind them of the positive things they have and what they have to offer -- to live on to the next.

Reality TV World: There had been rumors Brad was going to come back again for The Bachelorfloating around before the season began filming, so did you have any idea he would be returning or were you one of the girls who was totally surprised by it?

Kimberly Coon: I was actually surprised by it. I mean, there will always be a chance that they might bring somebody back and it might be somebody from another season and there was scuttle [about] "who could it be?" But I was surprised. I honestly had no idea he was going to be it until we literally pulled up in front of the mansion and saw him standing there.

Reality TV World: What did you think when you found out he was The Bachelor during that moment when you pulled up and saw him?

Kimberly Coon: I was excited because I didn't watch much of Brad's season, but from I've heard of him, he's a good guy and a gentleman and I was excited to get to know him a little bit more and have that opportunity to see who he really was.

Reality TV World: You told Brad you did watch a little bit of his season when you got out of the limo and that you had some serious questions and concerns. Could you give me some examples of what those questions and concerns were?

Kimberly Coon: Obviously, everybody's familiar now with how his first season ended when he didn't pick anybody and I actually respected him for that, because if you're not in love with somebody, you're not in love somebody. But, if it didn't work the first time for him, there's concerns of why it'd work the second time.

And I think that was just my main question -- was that he was going to be confident going into it that it was the right decision for him and that he was going to be able to really jump full into the season.

Reality TV World: Brad said he was going to address those concerns inside the mansion. Did he do that and fully alleviate your concerns or did you leave the show still having some doubts?

Kimberly Coon: No, I definitely think that he was very professional in addressing all the concerns every girl had. He spent a good amount of time with each person and explained to them that he was there for the right reasons and that they had nothing to worry about. And I left feeling great about it and still confident in his decision to come back again, and I guess we'll find out at the final rose if he was being honest.

Reality TV World: You were in the same limo as [Chantal O'Brien] and were the very next girl to come out and meet Brad after she slapped him. Had she told you she planned to do that when you guys were in the limo or was it a complete surprise to you?

Kimberly Coon: The slap was a complete surprise. We had no idea it was going to happen. So, it was very unexpected.

Reality TV World: So was surprise your reaction to the slap and do you think Brad deserved it or did you just find it funny?

Kimberly Coon: Honestly, when I got out of the limo after he got slapped, I was more concerned about getting to know him and introducing [myself] to him instead of dwelling on how he met somebody else.

Reality TV World: What went through your mind when you found out you were going on the group date with 12 other girls? Was that frustrating especially since you had to share Brad's time with all of them considering you had not gotten a one-on-one date yet?

Kimberly Coon: No, the group dates are always an interesting dynamic, and obviously, everybody would like one-on-one time with him, but I was just thankful to have a group date because there are girls who don't get a date at all.

Reality TV World: So was that a similar reaction to when you found out you had to go on the group date with 15 women as well?

Reality TV World: What did you think about the filming of the public service announcements? Did any particular moments stand out to you and did you enjoy yourself?

Kimberly Coon: The PSA was actually a great experience just because in my personal life, I like volunteering and working with service organizations and giving blood and stuff so, I was thrilled to go on that date. The whole thing was a great experience and it was fun and it was not an experience I'll have anywhere else.

Reality TV World: What exactly was your costume during those public service announcements? Did you like what you got and did you have any say in what was picked out for you?

Kimberly Coon: They had kind of given us a role for the PSA and I was actually in a very cute, fun PSA that I don't think many viewers got to see where it was kind of a sleepover and it was very much my personality, in that it was fun and girly and our PSA that I was in, actually was one of my favorites.

Reality TV World: Could you elaborate a little more on that?

Kimberly Coon: It was a girls' sleepover and talking about the experience of giving blood for the first time and just really fun and girly.

Reality TV World: On a serious note, what was your reaction to [Emily Maynard]'s story? Were you as emotionally affected as the other girls seemed to be?

Kimberly Coon: Definitely. Emily and I connected immediately obviously since we're both from Charlotte, [NC]. She's such a sweet girl and has such a good heart and she actually confided in me before the other girls just because I was from Charlotte and I would understand, and I was definitely affected the same way. I knew that story beforehand, but didn't know that it was her prior to her telling me. So, it definitely had an emotional affect on me and pulled at some heart strings.

Reality TV World: After the episode aired Monday night, Chris Harrison said her story "destroyed the house" and left them torn up much more than what the viewers saw. Do you agree with that statement?

Kimberly Coon: I mean, I can't really comment on that because I don't know what he's specifically referring to. I know what my reaction was when Emily told me and then obviously seeing the other girls react, but I don't know in what sense that it tore the house apart. I wasn't there when she told the other girls.

Reality TV World: He basically said the bachelorettes were crying for the rest of the day and that it lasted many hours. I don't know whether you witnessed any of that or not?

Kimberly Coon: No, I didn't unfortunately. She told the other girls while we were on a group date. So, during the group date, you're gone all day long, so I didn't get to see that.

Reality TV World: When Madison Garton walked out of the Rose Ceremony, what was your reaction and did you have any idea that she was planning that?

Kimberly Coon: I had no idea Madison was walking out. Obviously, I was upset because I actually liked Madison. She's a great girl, but [I] had no previous knowledge that she was going to do that. I think we were all very shocked.

Reality TV World: What did you think about Michelle Money and did you see her as the villain?

Kimberly Coon: Um, I can really only -- there's so much involved and going on while you're there -- it's hard to see and hear everything that happens, and especially I'm not in on her one-on-one interviews.

So, my opinions of each girl can -- it really only conveys how they treated me -- and everyone, Michelle included, was very nice to me. So, I didn't have a problem with anybody. Emotions start running higher when the show progresses, but when I exited, I had a great opinion about everybody.

Reality TV World: What girls did you see having the best connection with Brad during the time you were on the show? Did you have any of the bachelorettes picked out who seemed to be the best fit for Brad?

Kimberly Coon: Um, you know, I don't know if I was on there long enough to really see him start to make a serious connection with anybody, and obviously I'm rooting for the hometown girl, Emily, because I love her and I'm from Charlotte too.

And I do think that [Ashley Hebert] had an advantage since she had the very first one-on-one date, but I'm actually really excited to watch the rest of the season, because I don't what happened and I know the girls now and I met Brad and so it's going to be fun for me to watch to see who he makes connections with and who he picks.

Reality TV World: How much of a process is it to pick out a wardrobe to bring with you on the show? Do they give you any guidelines of what you need to buy or did you just assume you need to basically buy a lot of dresses and gowns?

Kimberly Coon: That's definitely the hardest thing about the whole process, I think, because they give you this huge long list of all this stuff you have to pack and they tell you, "But you can only bring two suitcases."

So, there's a little bit of stress that goes into that, but you know, I was fortunate to have friends that lent me stuff and I just already had stuff and I made some purchases, but it was definitely difficult because you want to be prepared for anything they throw at you.

Reality TV World: So it seems although it may be costly for many of the women, it may not have been for you because you were able to borrow a lot of clothing, right?

Reality TV World: What were you thinking when Shawntel Newton got to film the extra scenes with Brad and had a lot of makeout sessions during the action film movie? A couple of the other girls said they were offended by it and didn't think it was appropriate.

Kimberly Coon: We each auditioned for parts in the action scene that you didn't really get to see, because the nature of the show only being two hours, and so, I think that Shawntel had a great audition. She really brought it, so she really deserved the part she got in the action film.

Reality TV World: Okay, so you definitely weren't offended by her makeout sessions with him or anything?

Kimberly Coon: You know, when you get down to it, we were making an action movie and it was just acting, so I wasn't offended by it, and I was actually just more focused on my scene and learning my lines and just having fun with the experience because you don't get to do that everyday -- doing action stunts and you get to watch explosions -- do all that stuff.

Reality TV World: How did your meeting go with Ali Fedotowsky and Roberto Martinez during the second episode of The Bachelor when they were weeding out the competition to find the most genuine girl? Do you think you came across well to them or do you wish the conversation went a little differently?

Kimberly Coon: You didn't get to see my interaction with Ali and Roberto, and I wouldn't have said anything differently. I was simply being myself to them and 100% percent honest and answered the questions that they asked. I do think that they were there to help Brad and Ali and Roberto have gone through it before, so I think it was good for them to have the opportunity to help them out.

Reality TV World: What was your favorite moment while you were there?

Kimberly Coon: Oh my goodness! It's probably something you didn't see, just because there's so much the audience doesn't see -- again because it's only a two hour show -- but the stuff I liked the most was when we were just having fun, goofing off at the house. When we were on the dates, I don't think I ever laughed as hard as I did at the mansion than I have in my entire life. I'm kind of sad that you didn't get to see that fun silly side of a lot of us.

Reality TV World: Was there a time that stood out to be your least favorite moment while you were on the show?

Kimberly Coon: No, I didn't have any bad experiences while I was there, like I said, I made a lot of good friends. I wasn't really there long enough for there to be a really bad experience. I think I stayed out of any drama that may have been going on so, I had a good time.

Reality TV World: You just mentioned that you made some really great friends on the show. Emily was obviously one of them, but was there anyone else in particular you really got along with?

Kimberly Coon: I, for the most part, got along with everybody. Everybody was really nice to me and we were all goofing off together. Ashley Spivey and I made great friends too because she was originally from North Carolina. But just everybody in general, we all had a good time together.

Reality TV World: How did you end up on The Bachelor? Did you apply or did someone nominate you and also, was it your first time applying for the show?

Kimberly Coon: I actually have two sisters who are huge The Bachelor fans and so they thought it would be kind of funny to nominate me, and I just laughed it off. I didn't really think anything of it, until ABC called me.

(Photo credit ABC)

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